research_proposals xterm_project_rubric x
There are two documents about this business research proposal
12 more pages would be great
I took this class this tonight, and my professor said this paper should use the same topic with the Project I, SO I attached the “introduction” document which is my work and part 1 example and rubric. AND, The research question document is my topic. IN this business research proposal paper, my professor said you should find the independent and dependent variables. Therefore, you should design a hypothesis about this, so do not off topic.
Just a reminder, in the rubric, only need to do the Part Two. It’s a business research proposal paper. The rubric its same like the document that I posted in the last time.
Business Research Proposals
A research proposal can serve a number of useful purposes during the research process. However, its basic function is to describe what will be done during the research process (and why it will be done). Research proposals are assessed to determine the likelihood that the research will be useable in the specific business decision making context.
An effective research proposal will report on the following phases of the research process:
1) Introduction: The impetus for conducting the research.
2) Background: A discussion of the theories involved and the hypotheses developed
3) A detailed methodology
: Exactly what will be done, by whom to generate the data used for analysis.
4) A specific analysis plan
: How, quantitatively, will you know the answer to your research question?
5) Qualifications, timetable, and the budget.
The following sections provide a more detailed (but not exhaustive) explanation of these areas.
1. Introduction
This is a statement as to the underlying reasons that prompted the research. The researcher needs to provide the reader (client, professor) with some level of confidence that they understand the surrounding issues (e.g., the external and internal environmental contexts) that raise the question that is to be answered. That involves an explanation of what is expected to be learned, and why it is of importance (to the organization).
This section communicates why the research is being undertaken. It will focus around a problem statement and the resultant research objectives and research questions that are derived. It should answer the questions: “What is to be learned?” and “Why is it relevant?” It would also be important at this stage to identify the research to be conducted as exploratory, descriptive, or causal.
2) Background (Literature review)
A discussion of what is already known about the subject and any hypotheses that may have been developed. Depending upon the nature of the research questions asked, the researcher will need to describe their understanding of the theoretical (and practical) factors that contribute to the situation (above) that raises the research question. This will involve a general description of the variables that are believed to contribute to the issue. (Literature reviews are particularly helpful at this point.)
A thorough discussion of the concepts, indicators, and variables developed should be presented here, along with any operational definitions.
The theory described should lead to the specific hypotheses that are to be tested by the research. A hypothesis is an, as of yet, untested belief about the nature of the world. Business research hypotheses typically fall into two basic categories:
a) Statements about a specific characteristic of a population (or the differences between the same characteristic in more than one population) and
b) Statements about the relationships between two or more variables within a population.
Any hypotheses must be testable (through an analysis of quantifiable information).
To be useful in research and analysis, there must be a good (e.g., logical or theoretical) reason to believe that the hypothesis is true. Otherwise, the research tends to be more prone to errors (typically Type I errors). Hypotheses must also be quantifiable and testable if they are to be used for drawing conclusions (i.e., if they are to be tested statistically). Each research question should suggest at least one hypothesis.
Here are some examples of business hypotheses (in plain language):
More than 75% of our customers comparison shop online before making a purchase through our website.
The average 401(K) contribution for programmers in our industry is less than $2,000 per year.
There is a statistically detectable relationship between the age of our customers and the amount of RAM they expect in the computers they purchase.
Fine dining restaurant customers (at our restaurant) would prefer a table with chairs but proximity to a fireplace over a booth with no view of a fireplace.
3) A detailed methodology
The most important section of any research proposal is the methodology section. It is here where the researcher identifies the specific steps that will be taken to collect the information needed to answer the research questions.
Identify the type of research to be conducted: exploratory, descriptive and/or causal/experimental (and your logic for your decision).
The research design will:
a) Identify the type of research to be undertaken: exploratory, descriptive, and/or causal.
b) Define the nature of the information to be collected,
c) Identify the population of interest, the sampling frame, and the sample from which the data will be collected,
d) Describe the instrument (e.g., questionnaire) to be used to collect the information (i.e., measure the variables) – including the scales to be used,
e) Outline the fielding technique (the data collection method for administering the questionnaire), and
f) Explicitly state any known shortcomings of the research design.
When causal/experimental studies are proposed, this section should also define the experimental design to be used to control threats to internal and external validity. For complex hypotheses, this section will also include a description of the method by which subjects will be assigned to the various experimental and control groups.
An effective research design will ensure that the methodology can account for (identify and measure) the presence of any extraneous variables (e.g., threats to validity).
4) A specific analysis plan
Since the hypothesis is an explicit, quantifiable statement and the nature (i.e. levels of measurement) of the data to be collected are known in advance, the statistical analysis may be determined in advance. As a result, the null hypothesis should be described along with the specific statistical test to be performed. This process should include the level of significance (i.e., alpha).
The proposal should include a description of the procedures to be run and, where appropriate, the nature of the output (e.g., crosstabs) to be produced and delivered (e.g., crosstabs).
5) Qualifications, timetable & budget
The researcher should also a statement of the ability of the researcher to conduct the proposed research in a professional, objective manner. Clients would like some assurance that the researcher is aware of the potential pitfalls that are inherent in research situations.
The research proposal should also include a timeline indicating the times at which the various steps will be completed (questionnaire development, fielding, data analysis, and report writing).
Finally, the proposal should include the budget (fee) for the services to be performed.
The document you submit should be capable of being implemented based upon the information you have provided. That is, any reasonably competent researcher should be able to conduct the research you describe without (much) further reference.
Business Research Proposals
A research proposal can serve a number of useful purposes during the research process. However, its basic function is to describe what will be done during the research process (and why it will be done). Research proposals are assessed to determine the likelihood that the research will be useable in the specific business decision making context.
An effective research proposal will report on the following phases of the research process:
1) Introduction: The impetus for conducting the research.
2) Background: A discussion of the theories involved and the hypotheses developed
3) A detailed methodology: Exactly what will be done, by whom to generate the data used for analysis.
4) A specific analysis plan: How, quantitatively, will you know the answer to your research question?
5) Qualifications, timetable, and the budget.
The following sections provide a more detailed (but not exhaustive) explanation of these areas.
1. Introduction
This is a statement as to the underlying reasons that prompted the research. The researcher needs to provide the reader (client, professor) with some level of confidence that they understand the surrounding issues (e.g., the external and internal environmental contexts) that raise the question that is to be answered. That involves an explanation of what is expected to be learned, and why it is of importance (to the organization).
This section communicates why the research is being undertaken. It will focus around a problem statement and the resultant research objectives and research questions that are derived. It should answer the questions: “What is to be learned?” and “Why is it relevant?” It would also be important at this stage to identify the research to be conducted as exploratory, descriptive, or causal.
2) Background (Literature review)
A discussion of what is already known about the subject and any hypotheses that may have been developed. Depending upon the nature of the research questions asked, the researcher will need to describe their understanding of the theoretical (and practical) factors that contribute to the situation (above) that raises the research question. This will involve a general description of the variables that are believed to contribute to the issue. (Literature reviews are particularly helpful at this point.)
A thorough discussion of the concepts, indicators, and variables developed should be presented here, along with any operational definitions.
The theory described should lead to the specific hypotheses that are to be tested by the research. A hypothesis is an, as of yet, untested belief about the nature of the world. Business research hypotheses typically fall into two basic categories:
a) Statements about a specific characteristic of a population (or the differences between the same characteristic in more than one population) and
b) Statements about the relationships between two or more variables within a population.
Any hypotheses must be testable (through an analysis of quantifiable information).
To be useful in research and analysis, there must be a good (e.g., logical or theoretical) reason to believe that the hypothesis is true. Otherwise, the research tends to be more prone to errors (typically Type I errors). Hypotheses must also be quantifiable and testable if they are to be used for drawing conclusions (i.e., if they are to be tested statistically). Each research question should suggest at least one hypothesis.
Here are some examples of business hypotheses (in plain language):
More than 75% of our customers comparison shop online before making a purchase through our website.
The average 401(K) contribution for programmers in our industry is less than $2,000 per year.
There is a statistically detectable relationship between the age of our customers and the amount of RAM they expect in the computers they purchase.
Fine dining restaurant customers (at our restaurant) would prefer a table with chairs but proximity to a fireplace over a booth with no view of a fireplace.
3) A detailed methodology
The most important section of any research proposal is the methodology section. It is here where the researcher identifies the specific steps that will be taken to collect the information needed to answer the research questions.
Identify the type of research to be conducted: exploratory, descriptive and/or causal/experimental (and your logic for your decision).
The research design will:
a) Identify the type of research to be undertaken: exploratory, descriptive, and/or causal.
b) Define the nature of the information to be collected,
c) Identify the population of interest, the sampling frame, and the sample from which the data will be collected,
d) Describe the instrument (e.g., questionnaire) to be used to collect the information (i.e., measure the variables) – including the scales to be used,
e) Outline the fielding technique (the data collection method for administering the questionnaire), and
f) Explicitly state any known shortcomings of the research design.
When causal/experimental studies are proposed, this section should also define the experimental design to be used to control threats to internal and external validity. For complex hypotheses, this section will also include a description of the method by which subjects will be assigned to the various experimental and control groups.
An effective research design will ensure that the methodology can account for (identify and measure) the presence of any extraneous variables (e.g., threats to validity).
4) A specific analysis plan
Since the hypothesis is an explicit, quantifiable statement and the nature (i.e. levels of measurement) of the data to be collected are known in advance, the statistical analysis may be determined in advance. As a result, the null hypothesis should be described along with the specific statistical test to be performed. This process should include the level of significance (i.e., alpha).
The proposal should include a description of the procedures to be run and, where appropriate, the nature of the output (e.g., crosstabs) to be produced and delivered (e.g., crosstabs).
5) Qualifications, timetable & budget
The researcher should also a statement of the ability of the researcher to conduct the proposed research in a professional, objective manner. Clients would like some assurance that the researcher is aware of the potential pitfalls that are inherent in research situations.
The research proposal should also include a timeline indicating the times at which the various steps will be completed (questionnaire development, fielding, data analysis, and report writing).
Finally, the proposal should include the budget (fee) for the services to be performed.
The document you submit should be capable of being implemented based upon the information you have provided. That is, any reasonably competent researcher should be able to conduct the research you describe without (much) further reference.
Page | 2
Term Project Rubric
RSCH
5
500
Business Information & Decision Making
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of the
various sources of information business decision makers should use when evaluating
options (courses-of-action) for mid- to long-term decisions. As discussed in class
throughout the term, information can come from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Primary information is typically collected and used for the purpose of the instant decision, while secondary information comes from other sources – and is used for a variety of decisions and purposes.
Each student will be assigned a typical business research question/scenario and expected to provide a description of the sources of information they would use to address the issue.
The project will have two parts. The first will be an examination of the known material (e.g., past research) relating to the subject. The second will be the development of primary research to address in the information gap(s) that relate to the specific problem situation.
The first thing you must do is formulate your research problem as best you can (the original problem statement may be vague, if so seek clarification). Then identify the information you would need to answer the question; that is, don’t answer the question, but rather, identify the information/knowledge that would help you to answer the question. Once that list is complete, you should identify sources of that information. If you try to identify the sources first, you usually end up answering the wrong question (committing an “error of the third kind.”).
Note: both parts of the project will be subjected to TurnItIn (see turnitin.com). Details will follow.
Part I – Annotated Bibliography (20% of course grade, due session #5)
This part of the assignment will consist of an annotated literature review.
Sources should include published empirical research relating to the subject (e.g., peer reviewed academic articles), trade journal articles, industry reports, government reports, and/or third party information sources (e.g., Hoover’s online). If sources with known bias are used (e.g., company websites), the bias must noted and the source be properly counter-balanced with other perspectives providing an alternative view.
Format/Outline
I. Introduction
: An explanation of the decision to be made (or problem solved or issue addressed). A description of the intended consequences of the process.
II. Source List: A description of the sources of information that will be utilized in reaching the decision. (See below)
III. Conclusion
: A summary that ties together the sources of information to demonstrate a comprehensive covering of the relevant information. As part of the conclusion, a more formalized and specific problem statement will be developed, along with a testable hypothesis.
Content/Detail: (1.Why I should believe anything the sources information 2.What is they learning )
A minimum of eight sources will be researched and described. (Note: while the use of press releases and news media summaries is permitted, they will not count toward the required sources.)
For each source, you will need to demonstrate the relevance of the material to the decision to be made. That is, you should determine how “credible”— think pyramid of evidence — the source is as it relates to the problem. If the source reports on primary research (e.g., an empirical study), then you will need to describe/summarize that research and provide an assessment of its results – including an evaluation of the conclusions. For all secondary sources, you should identify any sources of “bias” and report on how the bias may affect the conclusions.
I will evaluate each source (and your description of it) individually as to its relevance to the decision to be made (and your formulation of the decision to be made). That is, it will be evaluated as to what information it provides that will enable an informed decision to be made.
I will evaluate the collective body of sources to the extent that they, as a group, are likely to provide the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Style:
Reports for both MBA programs and employers must be error free. They must be written using complete sentences, appropriate paragraph structure, and include properly spelled words.
The paper must be written in a professional style: third person (no “I” or “we”) and reflect an unbiased perspective. The document must have a logical flow. In this case, the sources should be presented in an order that builds an argument. The conclusion should “connect the dots.”
The sources shall be properly referenced using APA format (see: public folders/Providence Campus/The Graduate School/APA Basic Manual for a brief description of the required citation format).
See the following sites for descriptions and examples of annotated bibliographies:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/research/skill28.htm
http://www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/annotated_bibl.php
把每个source列出来然后评估每个source, 总结概括然后说资源的重要性,做一下评估,重要性,信息可不可信是否客观
Part II – Research Design (20% of course grade, due session #10)
This part of the assignment will consist of a description of primary, applied/empirical, research (e.g. customer or potential customer surveys) to address the specific information requirements of the situation. This is a description of “applied” research to be conducted to provide knowledge that will assist in the decision making for your assigned problem.
You will describe: 1) the specific information to be collected (i.e., the variable(s) to be measured), 2) the relevance of the information to the decision process, and 3) the methodology by which the information will be collected (the research design). The methodology is where the researcher identifies the specific steps that will be taken to collect the information needed to answer the research questions.
The design of an unbiased research methodology is the focus of the second part of this course. It is imperative that you understand, and can control, the potential sources of bias in a study.
Format:
I. Introduction
An explanation of the decision to be made (or problem solved or issue addressed). An explanation as to what information will be generated and how that information would be used to assist in the decision process for the problem assigned. This section should provide a clear description of the concepts to be studied and the variables that will be measured.
II. Research Plan
A description of the methodology/research plan. (See below)
III. Conclusion
A summary that ties together the sources of information (From both Part I and Part II of this term assignment) to demonstrate a comprehensive covering of the relevant information. Note: the conclusion of the paper cannot, for obvious reasons, present the results of your proposed research. But it should present a summary of how the information to be gained will inform the decision to be made.
Research Plan:
Identify the type of research to be conducted: exploratory, descriptive and/or causal/experimental (and your logic for your decision).
The research design will:
a) Define the nature of the information to be collected,
b) Identify the population of interest, the sampling frame, and the sample from which the data will be collected,
c) Describe the instrument (e.g., questionnaire) to be used to collect the information – including scales to be used,
d) Outline the fielding technique (the data collection method for administering the questionnaire, incentives, etc.), and
e) Explicitly state any known shortcomings of the research design.
When causal/experimental studies are proposed, this section should also define the experimental design to be used to control threats to internal and external validity. For complex hypotheses, this section will also include a description of the method by which subjects will be assigned to the various experimental and control groups.
5 |